The former 'Coronation Street' actress - who left her role as Liz McDonald just over a year ago - has been served with a bankruptcy order after being hit by a tax bill for £60,000 and could be forced to sell her home in Salford, Greater Manchester, to pay her debts.

A source said: "She's no option but to go bankrupt if the tax office refuse to budge."

Beverley has been unable to work for some time due to ill health, and she even had to pull out of a stint in pantomime in Sheffield over the festive period, but she has now committed to BBC comedy 'In With the Flynns' and a touring production of stage show 'Little Voice'.

However, the friend added to The Sun newspaper: "It will take a while for her to get back on her feet financially and catch up from where she was."

This is not the first time Beverley has experienced financial difficulties.

In 2000, she and ex-husband Steve received a tax bill for £26,000.

In 2008, she sold her six-bedroom house after her pub business folded and left her with debts of £218,000.

At the time, she blamed the credit crunch and smoking ban for her business problems.